Dancing for body, mind and spirit in Carp

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Janet Burns and Judy Henry

EMC Lifestyle - Most of us know that exercise can make us feel better, physically and emotionally. At this time of year, we are often looking for a healthy mood boost, but may not been keen on exercising outdoors.

Mounting scientific evidence suggests that dance can provide a surprising range of benefits, from greater calm and reduced anxiety to an expanded sense of fulfillment and control. Moving to music activates the brain's pleasure circuits, and dance improves mood more than exercise alone.

Are you interested in dance, but think that you might need previous experience or a partner? Neither is a requirement for a unique form of dance, called 'Sacred Circle Dance', which is a gentle healing way to bring body, mind and spirit together. Participants enjoy traditional and contemporary dances, moving together in a circle. Dances are taught each time, and steps repeated frequently so that the familiar patterns are conducive to relaxation and even meditation. The circle moves as a unit, so it is easy to follow along, allowing everyone in it to relax and be with the music, the movement and each other. There is no performance aspect so you can feel self-confident in a group that is supportive rather than critical.

Dancing in a circle is an ancient tradition common to many cultures. Originally the whole village danced together for a purpose - to celebrate a birth or marriage, to ask for rain for the crops, to welcome back the sun, to give thanks for a good harvest, etc.

Many of these old circle dances would have been lost without the efforts of Bernhard Wosien, a dancer and ballet master in Europe during the middle of the last century, and his daughter Maria-Gabriele. In 1976, Wosien first brought to Findhorn (an intentional spiritual community in northern Scotland) the traditional circle dances he gathered from across Eastern Europe, as he felt they were needed on the earth again now to help us remember how to live in community, and to help heal the planet. One of Wosien's wishes was to bring back a time when people realized the spiritual value of dancing together and for everyone to dance again, old and young alike. Over the years, others learned from him, began teaching, and today, Sacred Circle Dance is practiced nearly worldwide.

SACRED

Why sacred? Circle dancers believe that the circle itself is sacred, a microcosm of cosmic space. The circle brings community together as equals, in a shared intention of celebrating beauty and companionship. While we are dancing in a joined circle, our right hand is open to receive and our left hand is back to pass on the energy of the circle. Many of us find that we are spiritually moved and deepened by the experience of the dance. We may be individuals, but we dance as one: joining together we are creating something greater than ourselves on an emotional, mental and spiritual level. We also have lots of fun!

Dances can be energetic and lively or gentle and reflective. The music is a stimulating mix of many styles - traditional, classical, reggae, pop, ethnic, etc. The emphasis is not on "getting it right" or preserving an authentic version, but simply on creating a space where people can experience and interpret dance for themselves. There is a saying in the Sacred Circle Dance community: "In Circle Dance, there are no mistakes, only variations!"

So if you want to relieve daily stress, release creative energy, feel centred and connected with community and earth relationships, come join the dance!

A special event, 'Winter Revels: Dancing the Sacred' will take place Feb. 11-12 in Carp featuring two of Canada's foremost Sacred Circle Dance leaders, Barbara Herring and Meaghan Way.

Those who have danced with Barbara know the sense of calmness, joy and reverence that Barbara brings to the dance and to the world around her.

Barbara has been a facilitator of Sacred Circle Dance groups in Ontario since 1996.She has been midwife to the birth of many groups around southern Ontario (including some of the Ottawa groups).Barbara is delighted to be returning once more to explore with Ottawa dancers our relationship to the dance in its many aspects. She has facilitated dance events in Canada and the USA and was featured in a documentary segment of the television program 'Body, Mind and Spirit'.

Meaghan is a long time dancer and facilitator of Sacred Circle Dance in New England, Virginia and Ontario. She has facilitated dance camps in the USA and Canada. Her relationship with dance is apparent in her fluidity of movement and complete absorption in the moment and it's infectious!

Come and embrace the winter for a delightful weekend of dancing with two of Canada's top sacred circle dance leaders in a beautiful setting in the heart of Ottawa Valley.

No partners or previous experience with music or dance is required. All dances are taught. New and experienced dancers are welcome.

For information contact Judy Henry at 613-832-8241 or at herbs@earthmedicine.ca.